Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has endorsed Naftogaz chief executive Sergii Koretskyi to become the country’s next prime minister as he presses ahead with a major Cabinet reshuffle during the ongoing war with Russia.
Speaking in Kyiv on Wednesday, Zelenskiy said Koretskyi was the best candidate to lead the government, citing preparations for the coming winter as Ukraine’s immediate priority.
“The priorities are clear – preparing for winter. Sergii Koretskyi is the most prepared candidate for the post of prime minister,” Zelenskiy said after a series of consultations.
The move follows the resignation of Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko, who stepped down after just one year in office. Her departure automatically triggered the resignation of the entire Cabinet, with parliament expected to vote on Koretskyi’s appointment on Thursday. Zelenskiy’s Servant of the People party holds a parliamentary majority, making his nomination likely to succeed.
Attention has also turned to the future of Defence Minister Mykhailo Fedorov, with lawmakers saying Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko is expected to replace him. The proposed change has sparked criticism from several politicians and commentators, who argue the reshuffle comes at a crucial stage of the war.
Fedorov, a technology expert who has led the Defence Ministry for the past six months, has been widely credited with expanding Ukraine’s drone capabilities, modernising defence procurement and driving reforms aimed at improving the military’s effectiveness.
Oleksandr Merezhko, chairman of parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee and a member of Zelenskiy’s party, said Fedorov was highly respected by Ukraine’s international partners and had become closely associated with efforts to reform the Defence Ministry.
Prominent volunteer and drone warfare advocate Maria Berlinska also criticised the decision, calling it one of Zelenskiy’s biggest mistakes. She warned the change could have serious consequences for Ukraine’s military operations and ultimately cost lives.
Fedorov, in a message on Telegram, described it as a “great honour” to have served Ukraine. He highlighted achievements including increased investment in drones and improvements to defence procurement, while saying further work remained to align the ministry with NATO standards and complete broader reforms.
The government reshuffle comes as Ukraine faces mounting challenges, including intensified Russian attacks, shortages of air defence systems and military personnel, and preparations for another winter of strikes targeting the country’s energy infrastructure.
On the battlefield, Russian forces continue advancing towards Ukraine’s strategic “fortress belt” in the eastern Donetsk region, while Moscow insists it remains on course to achieve its military objectives in the conflict, now in its fifth year.
